At harvest time invading flocks of pest birds can decimate crops, especially grapes, blueberries and cherries. Falconry can scare off those pest birds much more effectively than man-made techniques such as shotguns, visual deterrents or noisemakers.

Falcons can chase gulls off landfills, coastal resorts and golf courses, more efficiently and quieter than other methods.

Falconry is highly regulated, both on the State and Federal level. Airstrike Bird Control, Inc. has a Federal Bird Abatement License and its falconers are licensed by the State of California.

Airstrike Bird Control, Inc. operates primarily in the states of California, Oregon and Washington.

Falconry based bird control
Falconry is sustainable. It is a natural technique that is part of the balance of nature. It is chemical-free and non-polluting

Falconry works because pest birds are "hard-wired" to be terrified of Raptors - falcons and Hawks - which are their natural enemies. Pest birds never get acclimated to Raptors, while they will used to noisemakers such as propane cannons, shotguns, or recorded calls.

Falconry and Vineyards
Between operation and the end of harvest grapes become a very attractive food for pest birds, particularly Sparrows and Starlings.

Initially the vineyard is explored by small flocks of scouting birds. If those birds like the fruit, and if there is no obvious danger, the entire flock will follow.

Pest birds can be scared off by noisemakers and visual deterrents, but this is temporary. The bird's hunger will overrule any fear of non-dangerous deterrents after a short period of acclimation.

Falcons terrify pest birds, especially as Falcons represent real potential danger. Ideally Falcons should be flown a week or two prior to harvest in order to deter the scouting birds. Then Falcons should be flown daily, seven days a week during daylight hours, in order to deter the invading birds and reduce crop damage.

Falconry and Blueberries
The blueberry is perhaps the most perfectly desirable food for pest birds. Blueberries are nourishing, sweet and easy to grab. Sparrows, Starlings and Crows are particularly attracted to this crop.

Blueberries are such a draw for pest birds that data shows that an unprotected field can lose 20 - 80% of the crop. Even netted fields can lose 8 - 10% of the crop.

Falcons must be flown more intensely than on other crops. Several Falcons are required, preferably of different species, in order to convince pest birds to just "move on".

Falconry and Landfills
The bird problem on landfills is different from that of crops. Here the pest bird is different - generally Seagulls, and sometimes Crows. And the problem is not protecting a valuable crop, the problem is protecting the neighboring area from bird droppings.

Falcons and Hawks are flown during daylight hours on the days the landfill is open and uncovered. Landfills also benefit from the use of noisemakers such as "screamers", "whistlers" and caps. But the use of such noisemakers is dependent upon the proximity of neighbors.

Some landfills have a year-round bird abatement problem, for others it is seasonal and dependent upon migratory patterns. Migratory birds are protected by various international treaties and conventions, so it's important that any abatement be performed in a legal manner.

Falconry and Pigeons
Pigeons present a totally different problem. The Pigeon is a messy annoyance that creates health issues. And pigeons are very territorial - once they settle and establish a home they refuse to leave. Frightening them off does not work, they must be humanely removed.

Pigeons can be a problem at food courts of shopping malls or inside warehouses or big-box stores. If the problem is interior, Harris Hawks are often used instead of Falcons. Harris Hawks can decelerate faster than falcons and so are more suitable in constricted spaces.

Pigeon abatement requires several on-site visits. After the pest birds are removed, others may try to take their place. So monitoring and occasional follow up visits may be needed.